Neil Quigley
We live in darkened times. A mood has transcended the earth, sweeping through clubland like a long since forgotten pox. The smile of the clubber has gone, now replaced by a distant glare, the rhythmical melody now nothing more than a minimal bleep.
But all is not lost. There are still those DJ’s out there who buck the trend, refusing to be dragged in to this techy void. Instead they stride on, remaining true to the virtues of house music past.
Neil Quigley is one such DJ. When all around him seem destined to follow a path, Neil is out there happy to forge his own. Of course he is influenced, but when those influences range from John Digweed to Charles Webster, Francois K to Groove Armada it is clear for anyone to see, Neil Quigley is a man with more than just a melody in his heart.
We first encountered Neil on his globally acclaimed ‘Pacemaker’ series. Where there are those that vilify the power of the Internet, this young man from an unknown English town, was happy to see his star rising in cities he may never visit. Cultured, crafted, sublime. As a mixed CD it was as close to commercially viable as you can get, bar for the fact that no label could ever license those tracks together. With Pacemaker 1 & 2 in the bag, part 3 heralded a return to public awareness for Neil that will hopefully catapult his career to the heights his talent deserves. No longer relying on just his trademark deep sound, Pacemaker 3 embarks in to territories that could open his sound up to an army of new admirers.
His ear for a great tune has not gone unnoticed. Urbantorque Recordings, home to the impressive Departure Lounge, have asked Neil to join the team in an A&R capacity; to hunt down the very best Deep House talent that clubland has to offer. This is a key to the sweet shop moment for a DJ always willing to take a punt on a producer, no matter how well known or popular they may be.
Again he turned to the Internet to build on his growing name. With a monthly slot on the ever popular Proton Radio (www.protonradio.com), Neil’s ‘Before/After’ show not only gave his loyal band of global followers deeper insights in to the man and his record box, it also showed the calibre of guests willing to put their name with his. Names such as Charles Spencer of San Francisco’s Love Slap recordings highlight the quality of talent he is able to pull from to produce his show. Thanks to the ongoing support of both the stations listeners and his guests, Neil was asked not only to play the labels closing party at this years WMC, but they have also bestowed upon him the honour of mixing a commercially released CD for them in September. Expect details of a tour to support this release to be announce nearer the time.
But recorded music can only scratch the surface of what he has to offer. A regular on the London scene, this last year has seen Neil cement his popularity on the decks of clubs such as The End, The Cross and Egg as a regular for the ever-impressive ‘Prologue’ night. But then that is just the tip of the iceberg. The planned tour of the US aside, Neil’s future bookings highlight the absurdity that is the dance music industry. Where most people find fame in their locality but struggle to find gigs anywhere that may involve the slightest bit of travelling, his story is very much the reverse. A guest appearance in Stockholm married with repeat visits to St Petersburg in Russia has seen Neil rapidly becoming a favourite son of the scene there.
2005 really has been the year that has pushed Neil in to the ascendancy. An appearance in DJ Magazine whilst playing with close friend and influence Meri of Rulers of the Deep would have normally been enough to make anyone’s year; but that was just the starter to a glorious main course, for this was the year that Digweed came calling.
On three occasions Neil has been asked to step up to the plate and produce the goods for John Digweed. Firstly there was an intimate Bedrock gig, and then there was a mix for his renowned Kiss FM Show. And now finally the piece de resistance has Neil warming up as part of the latest Bedrock night in the main room at Fabric. This really is Boys Own material, the stuff of dreams – the reward for all those hours spent perfecting the talent that is Neil Quigley.
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